June 10th, 2020

Dear families,

Yesterday, the Ontario government announced that child care centers in Ontario will be allowed to gradually resume operations, which will be subject to strict operational and safety requirements.

The reopening of our centers requires a lot of preparation. We have not yet confirmed the date for reopening our centers. Le Carrefour francophone must first meet all of the strict and rigorous requirements in regard to prevention and safety before resuming our activities.

We are working hard on a calendar and will continue to keep you posted. We have set up task forces that communicate with each other regularly to ensure an efficient flow of information on the progress of the reopening works.

Here are the health and safety requirements announced on June 9th:

  • Cohorting ― putting children and staff in groups of 10 or less every day;
  • COVID-19 response plan ― all child care centers will be required to have a plan in place if a child, parent or staff member/provider is exposed to COVID-19;
  • Screening ― all staff and children must be screened prior to entry of the child care center.  Anyone feeling unwell must stay home;
  • Daily attendance records ― child care centers must keep daily records of anyone attending the center to facilitate tracing possible cases of exposure to the virus;
  • Cleaning ― child care centers must be thoroughly cleaned before opening and frequently thereafter;
  • No visitors ― only essential visitors are permitted entry the child care centers;
  • Implementing drop-off and pick-up protocols in a way that facilitates physical distancing.

 

You can read more here.

The team is proceeding cautiously. We wish to take the time to get it right and will not operate in a state of urgency. Thank you for your patience and understanding!

Finally, we would like to remind you that we are at your service and we are attentive to your needs. The entire team of early childhood centers is back to work to prepare the centers. They will start adapting them and implement prevention measures that take your family’s needs into account.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact your center supervisor. 

Until then, stay safe! Let’s take the deconfinement steps one day at a time.

 

Sara Fudge
Director of childhood services

Stéphane Gauthier
General and cultural director

To summarize, here are the steps that must be taken to reopen our centers:

  • Ontario Government gives us the green light. ✓
  • Ontario Government shares ratio guidelines. ✓
  • Ontario Government and Public Health Sudbury are clarifying their guidelines for the safe layout of facilities.  X
  • Public Health Sudbury gives us the plan for a safe reopening. X
  • Public Health Sudbury authorizes our action plan and our health and safety policy for our staff and families. X
  • We receive protection and screening equipment. X
  • All staff receives adequate training. X